- Policy Area
- Connected and accessible cities
Linking people and opportunities
Connected and accessible cities ensure that everyone can travel easily around cities, for both work and leisure. They combine sustainable transport with digital connectivity and barrier-free services so that transport, data and everyday services work for all residents. Their focus is on improving how people and places are linked, physically and digitally, to reduce inequality and unlock opportunities.
Key policy areas of action include:
- Sustainable and low-emission mobility: public transport, walking, cycling and shared mobility.
- Digital connectivity and services: broadband, public wi-fi, e-government, local data infrastructure and interoperable tools.
- Accessibility of public services: barrier-free public space, transport and municipal services design.
- Integrated transport planning: sustainable urban mobility plans, intermodal nodes and last-mile solutions.
- Smart mobility operations: data-driven traffic control, real-time public transport information.
On this portal, you can:
- Plan: Shape your strategy with EU policy frameworks for mobility, accessibility, and digital transformation.
- Apply: Access information about EU funding opportunities and advisory support to finance transport upgrades, broadband rollout and barrier-free infrastructure.
- Deliver: Use EU toolkits and operational guidance to deploy cleaner transport, smarter digital services and inclusive infrastructure.
- Connect: Build partnerships with other cities and stakeholders on clean mobility, digitalisation and universal access.
- Learn: Explore success stories, evaluations and lessons from barrier-free and digitally inclusive cities.
Plan
“Shape your local strategy or project idea”
→ Access EU policy frameworks, needs assessments, strategy guides, and examples of city action plans.
(For cities starting from planning or project preparation)
CIVITAS is a network of over 330 cities dedicated to sustainable urban transport. It offers local authorities practical support to develop, test, and implement innovative transport solutions, such as cleaner vehicles, better public transport, active mobility ...
The Common European Mobility Data Space creates a trusted environment for sharing and accessing mobility data to support safer, smarter, and more sustainable transport services. By connecting public authorities, private operators, and service providers ...
The EU Local Digital Twin (LDT) Toolbox is a flagship initiative of the European Commission that provides a modular, standards-based suite of tools designed to help cities and communities across Europe simulate, analyse, and plan urban environments ...
Apply
“Identify and seize funding and support opportunities”
→ Discover open calls, grants, co-financing tools, technical assistance offers, and practical guides for applications.
(For cities seeking resources to fund their actions)
The “Civil Security for Society” is a cluster of the Horizon Europe Programme that funds research and innovation, including projects to help cities become more secure, and more resilient. It is especially relevant to face for tackling security threats and ...
This annual EU prize recognises cities that have taken outstanding steps to become accessible for persons with disabilities. It focuses on practical improvements in buildings and public spaces; transport and related infrastructure; information and ...
CIVITAS is a network of over 330 cities dedicated to sustainable urban transport. It offers local authorities practical support to develop, test, and implement innovative transport solutions, such as cleaner vehicles, better public transport, active mobility ...
Deliver
“Deploy solutions with hands-on tools and services”
→ Find toolkits, peer-learning initiatives, service offers, and operational support to put plans into action.
(For cities in the rollout or operational phase)
The “Civil Security for Society” is a cluster of the Horizon Europe Programme that funds research and innovation, including projects to help cities become more secure, and more resilient. It is especially relevant to face for tackling security threats and ...
CitCom.ai Testing and Experimentation Facility (TEF) offers AI startups and small firms access to subsidised test and experimentation facilities for AI models and robots focused on smart and sustainable cities and communities. Participants can test and ...
CIVITAS is a network of over 330 cities dedicated to sustainable urban transport. It offers local authorities practical support to develop, test, and implement innovative transport solutions, such as cleaner vehicles, better public transport, active mobility ...
Connect
“Build partnerships and join networks”
→ Access EU city networks, matchmaking platforms, partnership events, and collaborative opportunities.
(For cities wanting to work with others, scale up, or share experiences)
The “Civil Security for Society” is a cluster of the Horizon Europe Programme that funds research and innovation, including projects to help cities become more secure, and more resilient. It is especially relevant to face for tackling security threats and ...
The 5GSC Support Platform helps stakeholders take part in the ‘5G for Smart Communities’ action under the Connecting Europe Facility Digital. It provides a networking and knowledge-exchange space to stay updated on the latest opportunities and knowledge-exchange ...
This annual EU prize recognises cities that have taken outstanding steps to become accessible for persons with disabilities. It focuses on practical improvements in buildings and public spaces; transport and related infrastructure; information and ...
Learn
“Draw lessons from city success stories and evaluations”
→ Explore best practices, city stories, evaluated projects, replication toolkits, and lessons learned.
(For cities improving, replicating, or refining actions)
The “Civil Security for Society” is a cluster of the Horizon Europe Programme that funds research and innovation, including projects to help cities become more secure, and more resilient. It is especially relevant to face for tackling security threats and ...
The 5GSC Support Platform helps stakeholders take part in the ‘5G for Smart Communities’ action under the Connecting Europe Facility Digital. It provides a networking and knowledge-exchange space to stay updated on the latest opportunities and knowledge-exchange ...
The European Union is co-funding 4 pioneering projects that together form the foundation of the CitiVerse. While each has its own focus, they actively collaborate to exchange knowledge, align approaches, and maximise collective impact. Together they form a ...